Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the burning of hydrocarbons. It is a toxic component of vehicle exhaust, and can typically be found in any space where engines are burning gasoline, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas, kerosene, or jet fuel.

Typical carbon monoxide detection applications include installing gas detection equipment in enclosed parking structures, ambulance bays, fire halls, warehouses, loading docks, ice arenas, maintenance facilities and municipal works garages.

Carbon monoxide can also result as a byproduct of malfunctioning heating appliances (furnaces, boilers, stoves, direct and indirect fired air handlers).